Calling all Twi-addicts! As we gear up for Friday’s premiere of the 2nd Twilight film New Moon here are a few fun facts about the filming of New Moon that I want to share with you! Did you know that…
1.When the actors first arrived on the New Moon set each person was handed a 20-page pamphlet written by director Chris Weitz, who envisioned them as “orientation guides” for the cast and crew. The document  laid out his plan for the style and locations of the film and encouraged the actors to improvise.
2. When Bella and Alice head to Italy in a hurry near the end of “New Moon,” it’s apparently super obvious that they’re flying Virgin America airlines: Virgin America doesn’t offer flights from Seattle to Italy in real life — not even when you’re in a hurry to save a loved one from exposing himself as a vampire! Read the rest of this entry »

Michael Coon, a Greenwood, South Carolina resident, recently auditioned for – and got a part on – the long-running CBS soap opera As the World Turns.  As the World Turns conducted open auditions during September in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pa., and in Greenville, S.C., for male and female actors 18 and older. He was among a handful of actors selected to appear in As the World Turns episodes. For Coon, 63, being part of a long-standing daytime drama is a nice thing to be able to add to his resume.  Coon’s episode airs 2 p.m. Friday on CBS–we’ll be watchin!

Want to go from smalltown resident to big screen star like Michael? Click here to apply for casting calls and get going on InstantCast right now! Also, check out this week’s casting contests by clicking here to get in the star state of mind!

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

Happy Monday everyone! This week we want to hear from YOU: Tell us why you think you’re the next big thing to breakout in Hollywood. Get in the game by playing this week’s themed casting contests. Eleven new contests were posted today and will run until Sunday night…so get an early start right now. The top three contests right now are:
Who’s the next most popular Hollywood star like Robert Pattinson?
Who can attract as much paparazzi as Lindsay Lohan?
Who’s the next big reality TV star to find fame like Tila Tequila?

Click here to access all ten contests right now and get voting! Remember, you can vote for yourself up to 100 times per day.

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

You need to hear this story: You may have heard of the new feature film Precious now out in theaters. While the cast of Precious features big-time stars Mo’Nique and Mariah Carey, the shining star is new actress Gabby Sidibe.  CBS Evening News Anchor Katie Couric reports twenty-six year-old Gabourey Sidibe is not your typical girl to get cast in a feature film. But then again, not many plus-sized, African-American girls are. Sidibe says “It’s empowering. It’s like as much confidence as I have, there’s still that little fat girl that lives inside of me,” said Sidibe. “Because everyone told me that I wouldn’t make anything of myself until I lost 100 pounds.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Being a leader is important in the entertainment industry. It’s just one more thing that helps you stand out from the crowd of other actors with whom you’re competing. Of course, you will be judged on your talent first. However, personality does come into play.

When I hold open calls for actors and models, I can spot the leaders quickly. They’re the ones who start conversations with others before the casting begins.

Read the rest of this entry »

Expressing yourself can be an important asset when chasing your dreams. The more passion you have toward things that are important to you, the more you will stand out. There are a lot of people who express themselves through art, music, writing, and other creative outlets. The best part is you don’t have to be doing it professionally to get noticed….(think Jamie Foxx in the true story The Soloist…)Everyday people express themselves out on the streets and we all share a passion for some form of self-expression.

I did a casting once for street performers for a TRL segment on MTV. I walked the streets and subways of New York City looking for people with unique talents and inviting them to perform on MTV. I ended up casting a break dancing duo, an electric violinist, and a folk singer for the segment! Read the rest of this entry »

Casting directors agree, the more open you are about your individual talents, the better your chances of getting cast! Details matter…so be honest with yourself and with casting directors.  The next time you update your profile, send an email to a casting director, or agency, be sure to include your special skills. What classifies as ”special skills,” you might ask? Anything from singing, to dancing, to being ambidextrous! The more skills the better!

Leave a comment on this blog telling us about your special skills. Ask yourself–what makes you unique? Do you dress a certain way, talk a certain way, move a certain way…you get the point! Share with us today!

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

This week we’re sharing different ways to express yourself. The number one thing you always have going for you is YOU: No one is like you and you embody a unique set of skills that no one can replace. Use this to your advantage during the casting process.

If you know how to tap dance, put that on your resume & profile. If you can speak Spanish… let casting directors know! If you choreograph your own dance routines or write your own music… dazzle us with your talent! Any skill will give you an edge.

These are the specific details casting directors are looking for that will differentiate you from the competition… so go ahead with your bad self and never be afraid to be YOU! Update your profile, photos, and videos, and always stay true to what makes you YOU!

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

We’ve been talking about Ashton Kutcher’s new CW drama The Beautiful Life a lot recently…we had tons of casting calls for the show last month! Well, tonight is the series premiere on the CW Network at 9PM EST!

The show stars Mischa Barton and is bound to be a hit. Stay tuned and let’s talk tomorrow and hear what the critics (and you guys!) have to say. Will we see any of you InstantCasters on the TV screen this season?

Click here to apply to TV casting calls now!

Click here to learn more about The Beautiful Life!

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

Attention InstantCasters: This week InstantCast is all about vampires… and where would the vampire trend be without its diehard fans? So Twilight fans: Win a FREE 2 disc special edition Twilight DVD this week!

Enter in our Fantasy Casting contest: Who Has What it Takes to Be a Vampire in the “Twilight” Sequels? The winner will get a Twilight 2-Disc Special Edition DVD! Don’t delay: click here now to win a Twilight DVD!

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

Did you miss the premiere of The CW’s new drama The Vampire Diaries? Maybe you’re not sure how it’ll measure up to favorites like Twilight or True Blood. Well we’ve got a look at what the critics think:

GREAT: The New York Post’s Linda Stasi gives The Vampire Diaries 4 stars, citing the bloody action scenes. “These killers are more fun than a cemetery full of psycho zombie killers on Halloween.”

Read the rest of this entry »